Authors and Designers

On the way to wrestling practice last night, Zack asked in a panicked voice:

Zack: Is wrestling practice over by 6 p.m.?

Me: No it goes to 6:30 p.m. like always.

Zack: Oh, man!! This is not good!

Me: What, what is wrong?!

Zack: I am suppose to go to Deseret Book tonight for a book signing.

Me: A book signing?

Zack: Yeah, a guy came to my school today and talked about his book and he is signing it tonight at Deseret Book at 6 p.m.

Me: Well I am sure he will still be there at 6:30 p.m. so maybe we can go then.

Zack: That would be great. Thanks Mom. I really owe you.

Boy was that going to prove to be true! When we got to Deseret Book at 6:45 p.m. the line for the book signing wrapped around the entire store! Several times he said, "I am so sorry Mom." I really didn't mind. I was impressed he wanted to even go so we waited for 1 1/2 hrs. in line for him to get to the front and get a poster and some stickers. Syd even got some.

On the way to Deseret Book, Syd turns to me and asks who made us.

Me: Heavenly Father made our spirits and then our Mom and Dad made our body.

Syd: Who made my body?

Me: Me and Daddy.

Syd: What did you use....paper and stuff?

Me: No, Daddy and I made you out of love....oh, and glue.

Syd: Ewww, you didn't use glue did you?

Me: No, not really, just love.

Syd: Ok good.

Mid-Life Crisis

My best friend at work, Emily, just posted a blog of 31 signs that she is getting old. This inspired me as I am nearing my middle 30s which I think entitles me to a mid-life crisis. With this new found knowledge I am going to list the 36 things that I am entitled to as part of my mid-life crisis:

1. Eat whatever I want and not gain weight as part of the deal since I am after all in the middle of a mid-life crisis
2. Purchase a hot new ride to sport around town in that is not necessarily purchased with a family of four in mind
3. Get a cute, sassy new hairstyle with no regrets
4. Find a handsome young man to follow me around and heed my beck and call. (Didn’t notice that this meant Zack but he fits the bill pretty well.)
5. Undergo a complete wardrobe makeover
6. Give up what little exercise I do and still look amazing (or at least everyone tells me I look amazing, this is my mid-life crisis after all)
7. Become a movie critic or as close as I possibly can to becoming a movie critic by single handedly keeping the movie theaters in town in business
8. Protest an unfair cause even if it isn’t my own because I can….oh wait, I already do that
9. Listen to 80’s music in an attempt to start an 80’s music comeback
10. Attempt to pass legislation giving special treatment for those of middle age since children under certain ages get to do things free and senior citizens get reduced fees there should be an age discount for those of us who just feel bad about being stuck in mid-life crisis phase
11. Refuse to allow anyone younger than me to call me “Madame”
12. Use all of the slang those in their 20s do proficiently
13. Highlight my hair in a dramatic color
14. Join Emily in hosting the much needed show….What NOT To Wear At BYU-Idaho….and giggle shamelessly about our prospective contestants
15. Giggle shamelessly about inappropriate comments
16. Wear designer sunglasses while driving a convertible
17. Get a tummy tuck (ok, not really but after two c-sections it is a bit tempting)
18. Attempt to pass legislation giving Emily and I the right to turn our lives into perfectly choreographed musicals
19. Run a marathon
20. Have plans each weeknight as well as each and every weekend
21. Go on a trip to Hawaii and Europe
22. Buy a Harley
23. Get a tattoo (totally I am not doing this as I am such a baby when it comes to needles)
24. Maintain a cool profile on Facebook with lots of friends who visit me daily and leave awesome comments
25. All of the 20-something age group secretly envy me and want to hang out
26. I have to check my “appointment book” to see if I can squeeze some time in for you
27. Go to the spa at least once a month
28. Get a pedicure
29. Enjoy quiet evenings at home with no running, screaming, or crying
30. Eat food with broccoli in it and not listen to …. “ew, this is so gross, I am not eating this!”
31. Be inundated with gifts from admirers constantly
32. Maintain a vocabulary of highly educated verbage without characters like Barney, Dora or Spiderman sneaking into the conversation
33. Spend time with my favorite guy and really date again
34. Watch the sunset and talk all night only to watch the sun rise on another day
35. Eat more chocolate
36. Have more fun

Girls Night Out

Friday night I went out to dinner and a movie with two of my favorite girls...Emily and Sierra. We went to eat at Applebee's but the line was long so Emily (being the shy girl she is, yeah right) told the hostess we would just sit at the bar. So in we marched. Boy is she sassy. We sat and ate dinner and laughed and had a wonderful time. Then we headed to our movie.

We went to see National Treasure 2. Sharman and the kiddos were also there. Emily and I sat on one end of the aisle with my family in the middle and Sierra on the other end of the aisle. Well, Zack seeing that Sierra was sitting on the end jumped up and headed down to "keep her company." Sorry Sierra. Then when the movie was over Syd jumped in the truck with her Dad and Zack strolled along with us girls saying he would be "happy to escort these fine ladies home." Oh brother. What a smooser. He is really going to break hearts as he gets older. All in all, the night was great. And I had leftovers for dinner another night. Yummy.

I love having girls night out and Sharman is so good to take the kids to do something fun while I get some time with the girls.

When I Grow Up I Want To Be...

Syd got in the car from daycare yesterday and told me she wanted to tell me her list of things she wants to be when she grows up. So here they are...

A Cheerleader

A "Maker" (A baker)

Take care of dogs

Do Clothes

Watch Babies

I told her that there was one job where she could do all of those things. She said really what. I told her a MOM!!

What's In A Name?

Zack and Syd pose outside in the cold as we pass Exit 44....."Jensen Road" on our way to Utah.

Do You Ever Feel Like...

So have you ever felt like you were the only one in a room full of laughing people who didn't get the joke? Or the one standing on the outside of a group desperately wanting to be a part but knowing you will never be good enough to be included? Or the person who tries so hard to find out you were aiming for the wrong goal? This seems to be my life lately. I see myself standing on the outside looking in and cannot figure out how to get in. I am beating myself up over it and that does no good either. Very frustrating.

But when all of the world seems like they are against me, I love that there is one person I can rely on...Sharman! This past weekend my kiddos and I went to Utah and saw the cousins. When I got home the only thing I wanted to do was unload. True to form, my sweetheart was there to help me carry the burden. He did awesome!! He listened without trying to fix it or offer advice which is exactly what I needed him to do. He didn't read the paper and "listen," he really listened. When all was said and done he was the one I wanted and needed and he was there for me. My house was spotless when I got home. He had done the dishes, laundry cleaned, swept, you name it, it was done. What a lifesaver.

I just couldn't help but sit and think of all of the things I am thankful for after that. Most of them have to do with Sharman and how much I love him. He is so good to me and I cannot help but wonder how differently my life would be without him. Truly it would not have been this good. I am so blessed.

Happy Holidays

Driving to daycare to drop off Sydney this morning we had an interesting conversation about holidays. She was thrilled today was FINALLY "balemtimes" day. She loves to give things to people so that fact that she could hand out her valentines was super special today. This led to the following discussion:

Syd: Hey, Mom....

Me: Yeah, sis?

Syd: What holiday is next?

Me: St. Patrick's Day

Syd: And then it will be Spongebob Squarepants Day after that?

(Oh, great! Where did that come from? Guide child back to holiday discussion.)

Me: No, the next holiday after that is Easter silly girl.

Syd: Why isn't there a Spongebob Squarepants Day?

Me: People don't really like Spongebob Squarepants THAT much.

Syd: Well I do!

Again, my clever little girl put together St. Patrick's Day and Patrick from Spongebob Squarepants and came up with a brand new holiday. Unfortunately for her, I will not be celebrating it.

My Wheatwalker

Yes, my camera took horrible photos. However, I wanted to share these photos of my wonderful wheatwalker. Boy I love this little man. He did so good in the Rexburg Temple Celebration on Saturday evening. There wasn't a dry eye in the Hart Auditorium.

Amazingly, I also discovered how to get 8,000+ people to be quiet instantly....

Have three apostles enter a room. Pictured above are Elder Russell M. Nelson, Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Claudio R.M. Costa who all attended the Rexburg Temple Celebration. How can you not simply love these men? They carry such power and love with them that you instantly feel like doing a little better and being a little bit more.

I Looked Out The Window And What Did I See...

A moose relaxing in the cold Idaho weather.

Zack and I were heading out to the 2nd Dedicatory session of the Rexburg temple and spotted this moose just lounging around.
You can see how big she is compared to the tree next to her and the house in the background.
Finally she got tired of that spot and moved closer to Kendon and Lisa's place.

She got sick and tired of getting photographed so she took off for a leisurely stroll.

What a maginificent animal.

Sweet Reunion

Sunday, February 10, 2008 Sister Ruth Wright Faust, widow of President James E. Faust recently of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints passed away. Just as we mourned the passing of President Hinckley, we mourn the passing of Sister Faust. Similarly as we rejoiced in President and Sister Hinckley's wonderful reunion, we rejoice in the reunion of President and Sister Faust. What a glorious day of reuniting for them. My heart goes out to their family who I am sure will miss them terribly.

Snow Is Falling All Around

My sister Laurie lives in Logan, Utah. They have been inundated with snow as well. She sent me a few pictures and I thought I would share them for all of us here who are also cold and snowed on. See.....we are not alone in this snowy wasteland.

Take heart...we are suppose to get warmer weather soon....say maybe July. Hehehe!!

New Presidency of the Church Announced

President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; President Thomas S. Monson

First Counselor of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; President Henry B. Eyring

Second Counselor of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Thomas S. Monson is the new president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it was announced today at a news conference in the Church Office Building. President Monson, 80, succeeds President Gordon B. Hinckley, who died 27 January.

The new world leader of the Church has called to serve with him in the First Presidency, the top governing body of the 13-million-member faith, President Henry B. Eyring, 74, first counselor, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, 67, second counselor.

Smooth Move

Saturday I went to the movie "Water Horse" with the kids. Zack took his "friend" Kinsley. She was really a cute girl. Well, half way through the movie Kinsley took off her coat and just like that, Zack put his arm around her. Smooth move buddy, smooth move. I promise he learned everything he knows from his Dad.